This delicious organic, Vegan, unoaked Pinot comes from Switzerlands steep Valais region

Domaine Balavaud is situated in the small hamlet of Balavaud in the Commune of Vétroz in the high lying Valais Region. Owned by Jean-René Germanier regarded by many as one of Switzerland’s top wine producers. Founded in 1886, making it one of the oldest Swiss wineries, this family owned company is now headed by 3rd generation Jean-René and his nephew Gilles Besse.

Their excellent unoaked Pinot Noir comes from old vines in a single vineyard organic site, the grapes are destemmed and crushed before fermentation with plenty of punching down for colour extraction and bottled without fining and filtration

Located in the mountainous southwestern corner of Switzerland, Valais used to be very remote until the arrival of railroads. It was part of Savoy then joined Switzerland.Valais has 125 appellations, the most prestigious of which (from west to east) are Fully, Chamoson, Vétroz, Saint-Léonard and Salgesch. The valley’s lower slopes are 650m above sea level yet the shelter from the high alpine peaks makes this part of the Rhône valley the driest and sunniest in the Alps. Even better, it also benefits from the autumnal foehn wind, which blow dries grapes and protects from rot. Most vines grow at between 460–760m (1,500 and 2,500ft). Most need to be terraced and you will see pulley and rail systems to get things and sometimes people up and down the vineyard. The gradients are steep, in some places up to 90%. This steepness, although making it harder to manage and harvest the vines, brings the significant benefits of excellent drainage and increased exposure to sunlight. The soil is generally light, well aired, with only a little clay. The vines need irrigation from time to time. Valais has a centuries old hillside irrigation system redirecting glacier melt to vineyards and fields, called "bisse".

Style: medium bodied, aromatic, complex, dry, fresh, fruity, long

Maturity: starting to drink now but will keep well